The Evaluation of Efficacy of Atmospheric Pressure Plasma in Diabetic Ulcers Healing: A Randomized Clinical Trial Publisher Pubmed



Samsavar S¹ ; Mahmoudi H² ; Shakouri R¹ ; Khani MR³ ; Molavi B⁴ ; Moosavi J⁵ ; Daneshpazhooh M² ; Etesami I² ; Shokri B^{1, 3}
Source: Dermatologic Therapy Published:2021

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) as a novel therapy for diabetic foot ulcers. This was an investigator-blinded, randomized controlled trial of 14 weeks (6 weeks of treatment and 8 weeks of follow-up). Twenty patients with diabetic foot ulcers were divided into two groups: the control group receiving standard wound care and the plasma group, which received CAP twice a week for six consecutive weeks in addition to standard wound care. The ulcer size, amount of exudate, and wound grading were determined weekly. Cold plasma was produced by applying a high voltage (4.5 kV) and a high frequency (22 kHz) to helium gas. Exudate from wounds treated with CAP showed a significant reduction in the third week after complete treatment (p = 0.039). The wound grading of the ulcers improved by the sixth week (p = 0.019), and the sizes of ulcers significantly decreased in the plasma group at the end of the treatment period (p = 0.007). In this randomized clinical trial, CAP was an effective treatment option for diabetic foot ulcers in terms of wound surface reduction and antibacterial effects. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.